Erin McDannald, CEO of Elevated looks at how energy storage systems could play a larger role in energy collection and distribution.
Traditionally, cities rely on a centralized power grid that distributes energy from a few significant plants and substations to countless buildings. When that central power grid fails, entire cities experience blackouts, resulting in prolonged outages and risks to public safety and health. Buildings equipped with solar panels, wind turbines, and advanced energy storage systems can operate independently from the grid, but what if they could play a larger role in energy collection and distribution? Equipping buildings to interlink these systems and work together at the neighborhood or city scale can help to decentralize infrastructure dependence, creating a more resilient urban future.
Optimizing the Use of Renewables
Sustainability is crucial for the future of our planet, which is particularly important for urban environments, where most of our population lives. Renewable energy sources reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy waste significantly. These renewable technologies provide cleaner energy alternatives and foster energy independence and durability against fluctuating fossil fuel markets.
At the building scale, many renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, generate direct current (DC) electricity, which 80% of our modern devices use (Source: Cence Power) – including common features of the office, such as computers and LED track lighting. Most building MEP systems, however, developed to coexist with alternating current (AC) power. Converting all of a building's systems to DC power allows them to directly utilize the stored energy from solar panels more efficiently. Maximizing renewables is an important step toward ensuring a building can adequately support itself off-grid and, ultimately, enabling broader decentralization.
DC infrastructure also supports more intelligent, integrated building systems. By allowing power and data to run on a single cable, smart sensors, and controls can work in tandem with AI, giving building operators more sophisticated tools for monitoring and optimizing energy in real-time and making the network more efficient. AI algorithms can analyze massive amounts of data generated by the connected equipment and sensors throughout the grid. These technologies can predict demand fluctuations, optimize energy distribution, and anticipate future maintenance needs, reducing downtime and improving reliability. For example, during peak energy demand times, the building can adjust the flow of electricity in real time to redirect wasted power and reduce potential strain on vulnerable areas, lowering the risk of blackouts and preserving battery stores.
Economic Growth
Decentralized energy systems create new financial models that can be particularly appealing to building developers. By investing in smart power infrastructure, which is notably similar to the infrastructure needed for high-speed internet, developers can save energy while significantly enhancing their properties. With a return on investment (ROI) expected within a year, this approach not only makes financial sense but can draw in tenants looking for modern amenities.
By closely monitoring their own demand, building owners can sell excess stored energy back to the grid or to nearby buildings, supporting local energy markets, promoting growth, and stimulating economic activities within communities. Prioritizing environmentally responsible practices, companies position themselves as leaders in innovation and corporate responsibility, attracting tenants, employees, and partners who value these commitments.
Enhanced Resilience
Cities with aging, centralized power grids are particularly vulnerable to widespread outages caused by extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or ice, as well as solar flares and cyber attacks. In a decentralized model, energy can be rerouted from buildings that are still online, ensuring essential services like healthcare, emergency services, and public safety stay operational.
This framework reduces a city's reliance on single-source energy and mitigates risks associated with grid congestion or failure. Hyper-locally harnessing energy also means communities can recover quicker from disruptions, as they are not dependent on the repair or restoration timelines of a single external utility provider.
Despite challenges like infrastructure costs and potential cybersecurity risks, the benefits of decentralized energy systems for societal well-being are significant. Embracing decentralized energy systems is crucial for a resilient and sustainable future.